From 30-36 inches of snow possible; From 2-4 inches per hour late tonight

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is ordering the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to be activated at 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25, in anticipation of a potentially historic blizzard from Monday afternoon into late Tuesday.

A snow accumulation map for the tri-state area by the National Weather Service, showing the potential for 24-36 inches in the Shelton area.

“Based on the forecasts we’re looking at now and assessing the situation with state emergency management officials, I have directed the state’s EOC to be activated at 4 p.m. on Monday,” Malloy said.

“We urge Connecticut residents to take necessary precautions,” he said. “The state will continue to monitor, prepare, and stay in front of this storm and react quickly.”

From 2 to 4 inches an hour

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Blizzard Warning for Fairfield County from 1 p.m. on Monday to midnight on Tuesday night (this means the blizzard’s duration could be 35 hours).

The NWS says from 20 to 30 inches could fall, with the potential for wind gusts up to 65 mph. One NWS accumulation map shows the potential for 36 inches of snow in this area.

Snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour are expected late Monday night into Tuesday morning, causing “life-threatening conditions and extremely dangerous travel” at the height of the storm, the NWS said.

Malloy will update state Monday A.M.

Malloy will hold a news briefing from the EOC at 10 a.m. Monday morning to provide updates on the state’s preparations for the forecasted winter storm.

The state EOC, staffed by state emergency management personnel and representatives of the state’s major utility companies, will remain open throughout the duration of the storm.

Radio coverage Monday and Tuesday

During major storms such as this one, HANRadio.com also provides live updates from around the state. You listen at HANRadio.com, the SheltonHerald.com Home page, or by using the TuneIn Radio app on your smartphone and searching “HAN Radio.”